10/14/2013

Opening in 1909,
Coosa Country Club sits alongside the Coosa River in Rome, Ga., and features narrow
fairways lined with tall Georgia pines and challenging greens to test the players
in the Burgett H.
Mooney, Jr. Rome Classic presented by State Mutual Insurance Company.

Coosa
Country Club’s Head Golf Professional Brian Albertson started working at the club in 1998, by that time the
tournament had already been an annual tradition for two years.

“It’s a great tournament and it’s amazing to see all the young talent come
out and play on our course,” Albertson said. “Every year the players score
lower, it’s incredible.”

The tournament was moved to another course for three years, but since
2000 Coosa Country Club has remained the venue, keeping the Burgett H.
Mooney, Jr. Rome Classic presented by State Mutual Insurance Company one of the longest
running tournaments on the AJGA schedule.

“It is an event that
not only players request to come back to, but tournament directors do as well,”
Tournament Director Scott Geary said. “We enjoy the course and the committee,
which welcomes the AJGA back and creates a great environment.”

Over the years, the Rome Classic has seen talented juniors that have gone on
to play at the professional level. PGA
Tour player, Roberto Castro, who won in 2000, is now No. 67 in World Golf Rankings.
LPGA tour player Austin Ernst won in 2007, and after an impressive career at
Louisiana State University has gone on to two top-ten finishes on the professional
stage and is currently No. 161 in Rolex Rankings.